Auckland Airport has welcomed the new Air Tahiti Nui B787-9 aircraft today at a special ceremony at the International Terminal.Media Release | 8 November 2018

Auckland Airport welcomes new Tahitian Dreamliner

Auckland Airport has welcomed the new Air Tahiti Nui B787-9 aircraft today at a special ceremony at the International Terminal.

The arrival of the new Tahitian Dreamliner marks the 20th anniversary of operations for the airline and the commencement of the aircraft flying on the Auckland to Papaeete route three times a week.

Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport’s general manager aeronautical commercial, says, “We welcome the new Tahitian Dreamliner to Auckland and New Zealand. The stunning new aircraft will provide an enhanced in comfort and convenience for travellers heading to French Polynesia and its beautiful islands and will also enable increased trade flows between the two countries.”

The new aircraft is the first of five new dreamliners that will replace its current fleet of five airbus A340-300s. Each plane will have 30 business class seats, 32 premium economy seats and 232 economy seats.

“Auckland Airport is very proud of our position as the most connected hub for the South Pacific with regular direct services to nine destinations in the South Pacific operated by six airlines.

“Auckland has the largest share of connecting passenger traffic between the rest of the world and the Pacific Islands, with 22% of all connecting passenger traffic coming through this airport to and from the rest of the world,” says Tasker.

The arrival of the Tahitian Dreamliner was celebrated with invited guests of Air Tahiti Nui including dignitaries French Polynesia President Edouard Fritch, Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and New Zealand’s Minister of Pacific Peoples, Aupito Su’a William Sio.